Moistening means



Dec. 30, 1941. s. KOKAY MOISTENING MEANS Filed April l2, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 30, 1941. s. KoKAY 2,267,982

MOISTENING MEANS Filed April l2, 1959 I5 Sheets-Sheet -2 Dec. 30, 1941. s. KoKAY MOISTENING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 12, 1939 Patented Dec. 30, 1941 2.267.982 Mors'rENmG MEANS Stephen Kokay, Chicago, Incorporated, Chicago,

West Virginia lll., assignor to Ditto, Ill., a corporation oi' Application April 12, 1939, Serial No. 267,516

13 Claims.

The invention relates to mostening means and vis particularly adapted to be embodied in dupcopy sheets with alicating machines to moisten solvent for copying ink.,

A primary object of the invention is to provide improved means for applying a thin lm of solvent to copy sheets as they are advanced to contact a master sheet in a duplicating machine of the type wherein the data to be duplicated is typed or written in reverse with copying ink on a master sheet and the copy sheets, after being moistened with solvent for the copying ink, are brought into contact one by one with the master sheet.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for distributing solvent upon a roller so that the roller will apply solvent to copy sheets in a thin even film as the copy sheets are advanced to engage a master sheet in a duplicating machine of the type described.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken through a duplicating machine which embodies one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged section taken through improved mostening apparatus which forms part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 being taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary. transverse section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, transverse section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on line 1 1. of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, vertical section taken through mostening apparatus which embodies another form of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a section taken online 9 9 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a partial plan View of a roller which embodies another form of the invention.

Referring for the present to Figs. 1 to .7, inclusive, wherein a machine embodying a preferred form of the invention is illustrated, the reference character I 0 designates generally the frame of the machine in which a duplicating drum II is rotatably mounted and is adapted to carry a master sheet I2 upon which the data to be duplicated is printed, written or typewritten in reverse with copying ink (Figs. 1 and 2). The forward edge of the master sheet I2 is secured in a groove I3 provided in the periphery of the drum Il. Constrained to rotate with the drum II is a gear I4 which meshes with a pinion I5 fixed to a. stub shaft I1 rotatably Journaled in the frame I0 and adapted to be rotated by a crank (not shown). A pressure or platen roller I8 is rotatably journaled in levers I9 and is adapted to press copy sheets (not shown) against the master sheet I2 when the copy sheets are advanced to the bight between the drum I I and the platen roller I8, the platen roller I8 being driven by reason of frictional engagement with the drum II.

A gear 20 constrained to rotate with the drum II meshes with an idler pinion 22 which, in turn, meshes with a pinion 23. The pinion 23 is xed to a shaft 24 which has its ends rotatably journaled in the frame I0. Obviously when the shaft I1 is rotated by means of the crank (not shown) the drum I I and the shaft 24 will rotate in unison. A cam 25 constrained to rotate with the drum Ii is provided with a notch 26 engageable by a roller 21 carried by a lever 28 which is pivoted upon a pin 29 projecting from the frame I8. A compression spring 38 yieldingly urges the lever 28 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1) so that the roller 21 will fall into the notch 26 when the notch tif'comes into the proper position. The purpose of this construction will presently appear.

Fixed to the shaft 24 is a combined feeding and mostening roller 32 which is preferably formed from elastic material of such composition that it is slightly yielding. In practice solid Neoprene or rubber, preferably the former, is employed in the preferred forms of the invention. Cooperating with the roller 32 is a feed roller 33 which is preferably formed with sponge -Neoprene or rubber so that it is somewhat porous. The roller 33 is mounted on a shaft 34 which has its ends rotatably journaled in levers 35 pivoted on pins 36 projecting from the frame I0. The levers 35 have notched extensions 31 to which tension springs 38 are adjustably secured to urge the levers 35 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) so that the roller 33 is urged yieldingly against the roller 32. When copy sheets are advanced to the bight between the rollers 32 and 33 and the shaft I1 is crank (not shown) the the copy sheets to the II and the pressure or manner that each copy rollers 32 and 33 advance bight between the drum platen roller I8 in such sheet comes into registry rotated by means of the with the master sheet and the data to be duplicated is copied from the master sheet onto the copy sheet. Of course, the copy sheets are first moistened with a solvent for the copying ink.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the improved machine is provided with a. feed table 40 adapted to hold a stack of copy sheets. Adjacentl the rollers 32 and 33 the feed table 40 has an up-` the tube 42 extending horizontally just above the roller 32 and the perforations 44 being adapted to spray the solvent directly on the roller 32 or into the bight between the roller 32 and a metallic roller 45. As indicated, the roller 45 is preferably made from metal but it is also contemplated that it may be made from other materials such as vulcanized rubber, porcelain, glass and various plastic compounds. The roller 45 is fixed to a shaft 46 which has its ends 41 journalled in collars 41a slidably journalled in grooves 48 formed in bearing blocks 43 mounted on the frame ||l (Figs. 2 and 4). Screw-threaded through plates 50 fixed to the bearing blocks 49 are screws 5I which engage the collars 41a to hold the roller 45 against the roller 32. Lock nuts 52 on the screws 5| are provided for securing the screws 5| in their adjusted positions. The cylindrical surface of the roller 45 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 55. In practice good results have been obtained by providing V-shaped grooves opening onto the surface of the roller, the grooves being from 0.002 to 0.003 of an inch deep and from 0.003 to 0.005 of an inch wide. The grooves are spaced about one-sixteenth of an inch apart center to center. The roller 45 rotates when the roller 32 rotates because of its frictional engagement therewith.

Any suitable means may be provided for supplying solvent to the tube 42. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a tank 60 is provided for holding a supply of the solvent (Fig. 1). Extending through `the tank 60 is a pump mechanism 6-| by means of which solvent may be forced through a tube 63, thence through a check valve 64 to a flexible tube 65, which flexible tube 65 communicates with a metallic tube 66 (Figs.` 1

and 3). The means for operating the pump mechanism 6| comprises a lever 68 pivoted upon the pin 29 and adapted to be oscillated by the lever 28 which carries the roller 21. The construction of the pump mechanism, the check valve 64 and the operation of the levers 28 and 68 is shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 2,135,824 granted November 8, 1938 to Alfred Marchev and as details thereof do not form a part of this invention they will not be described in this instance. It will be readily understood that other pump mechanisms could be substituted for the pump mechanism shown at 6|.

The metallic tube 66 is bent to provide a downwardly extending portion 10 to which one end of 'the flexible tube 65 is secured. The main portion of the tube 66 extends horizontally (Fig. 3) throughout the entire length of the tube 42. The outside diameter of the tube 66 is smaller than the inside diameter of the tube 42 so that an annular space 1| is provided between the tubes. I'he tube 66 is provided with an aperture 13 whereby solventl may flow from the interior of the tube 66 to the annular space 1|. It is obvious that when the pump 6| is operating the solvent will be pumped through the tube 63, the check valve 64, the flexible tube 65 into the tube 66 and thence through the aperture 13 into the annular space 1| -to be sprayed upon the roller 32 through the apertures 44. With this construction there is a substantially continuous ow of solvent through the apertures 44 even thoughjthe pump mechanism 6| forces the solvent into Vthe tube 66 intermittently. Another feature of thisimproved construction is that the solvent flows in substantially equal quantities through the several apertures 44 and does not tend to flow in excessive amounts through the apertures at one end or the other end of the tube 42.

It will be noted that the left vhand ends (Fig. 3) of Athe tubes 66 and 42 are closed` andthat a round-headed screw 14 projects from the closed end of the tube 42 and restsin a notch 15 provided at one end of a plunger 11 slidably journaled on a pin 18 which projects from the frame |0. A spring 19 disposed within the plunger 11 yieldingly urges the plunger to the right (Fig. 3)

to hold the notch 15 in engagement with the screw head 14. At the same time the spring 19 yieldingly urges the tubes 42 and 66 to the right (Fig. 3) and the bent portion 10 of the tube 66 is urged into a notch (not shown) in one of the bearing blocks 49 so that the tubes 66 and 42 are secured detachably in the frame I0.

It will be noted that the two apertures 44 closest to the ends of the tube 66 are spaced inwardly from the adjacent ends of the roller 45. This construction is employed as it is preferable to prevent the solvent from flowing over the ends of the roller 45. As a further means of preventing the ow of solvent over the ends vof the roller 45 as well as over the ends of the roller 32 annular grooves 80 are provided adjacent the ends of the roller 45 and aligned annular grooves 8| are provided adjacent the ends of the roller 32 (Figs. 4 and 5). In each pair of aligned grooves and 8| there is provided a plate 82 having notched ends 83 tting snugly in the grooves 80 and 8|. The plates 82 tend to prevent the solvent which gathers at the bight between the rollers from flowing to the ends of the rollers. The plates B2 may be made of any suitable material. Brass has been used with good results.

It is understood, of course, that the roller 32 rotates in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) and it will be readily understood that the roller 32 tends to pick up lint from the copy sheets as it rotates. To remove the lint from the roller 32 a felt strip 84 is provided and it engages the roller 32 to remove the lint therefrom. 'Ihe felt strip 84 is secured by adhesive or any other suitable means to the lower end of a housing plate 86 which has bent ends 81 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The ends 81 are apertured to accommodate the shaft 24 and are fixed to the frame I0. The housing member 86 is preferably formed from sheet metal and at its upper end has a second housing member 90 of sheet metal pivoted to it. The housing member 90 carries a. strip 9| of sponge Neoprene or rubber at its lower end, which strip 9| is yieldingly urged against the roller 32 by springs 93 which are interposed between the frame l land the housing member 90. The strip 9| tends to distribute the solvent evenly upon the surface of the roller 32.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, is substantially as follows: the operator drives the machine by means of a" crank (not shown) and pauses each time the roller 21 engage the notch 28 to feed the copy sheets from the copy sheet table 40 to the bight between the rollers 32 and 33. 'Ihe operator then continues rotation by means of the crank (not shown) and the rollers 32 and 33 advance the copy sheets to the bight between the drum and the pressure or platen v1311er I8 so that the copy sheets are pressed against the master sheet as it passes between the drum I l and the platen roller |8. 'I'he copy sheets are discharged onto a tray 95 (Fig. l). As the copy sheets pass between the rollers 32 and 33 the roller 32 deposits a thin film of solvent on the upper surfaces of the sheets.

The solvent is supplied to the roller 32 by means comprising the pump mechanism 6| which causes the solvent to be sprayed onto the rollers 45 and 32 at their bight. The grooves 55 regulate the amount of solvent which passes between the rollers 45 and 32 and the lstrip 9| tends.to distribute the solvent evenly over the roller 32 so that the lm of solvent deposited upon each copy sheet will be substantially of the same thickness over the entire copy sheet.

In Figs. 8 and 9 a moistening mechanism em'- bodying another form of the invention is disclosed. The moistening mechanism shown in Fig. 8 may be substituted for the moistening roller 32a. The roughening of the cylindrical surface of the roller |00 is preferably done by cutting a ne screw thread therein. In practice goods results have been obtained by cutting a screw thread having a pitch of 0.0030 of an inch. Obviouslysuch'a screw thread is hardly perceptible to the eye but it has been found that with the surface of the roller |00 roughened in this manner the roller distributes the solvent evenly upon the roller 32a.

The moistening mechanism shown in Figs. 8 and 9 functions in the same manner as that shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, with the exception that theroller |00 is employed to distribute the solvent on the roller 32a. instead of using the sponge Neoprene or rubber strip 9|'.

' Referring now to Fig. 10, the reference character 45e designates generally a roller which is of the same dimensions as the roller 45 and may be substituted therefor. It is preferably made of the same material as the roller 45. However, instead of` having longitudinal grooves 55 thereon the roller '45e has its cylindrical surface promechanism shown in Figs. l to 7, inclusive, if it is so desired. In Figs. 8 and 9 a roller 32a is shown, which roller 32a is preferably identical in construction with the roller 32 described above and is mounted in the same manner. The roller 32a cooperates with a roller 33a which is identical in construction with the roller 33 described above and is mounted in the same manner so that it is yieldingly urged against the roller 32a. It will be readily understood that the rollers 32a and 33a are combined feeding and moistening rollers adapted to advance copy sheets to the drum |I and the platen roller |8 if the moistening mechanism shown in Figs. 8 and 9 were substituted for that shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive. A roller 45a engages the roller 32a and is identical in construction and function with the roller 45 described above. Solvent is sprayed from a tube 42a which is identical in construction and has the same function as the tube 42 described above. The solvent is sprayed onto the rollers 45a and 32a at points adjacent their bight. The means for' supplying the solvent to the tube 42a is preferably identical with the means described above for supplying solvent to the tube 42. A felt strip 84a is -preferably mounted in the same manner as the felt strip 84 described above. The function of the strip 84a is identical with that of the strip 84. A housing member 86a is provided which is identical with the housing 88 described above and has the same function. Hinged to the upper end of the housing 86a is a housing member 90a which is similar in construction to the housing member 90 and has journaled in its lower end a roller |00 preferably formed of metal. Springs 93a corresponding to the spring-s 93 described above yieldingly urge the roller |00 against theA roller 32a. The roller |00 has a roughened cyindrical surface contacting the vided with a plurality of minute depressions 45b which are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 10. The depressions 45b preferably are of a width equal to the width of the grooves 55.

While there have been shown and vdescribed certain embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modications. Changes, therefore, may be made without departing from the scope of the v'invention as described in the-appended claims, i which it is the intention to claim all novelty inherent in the invention as broadly as possible, in View of the prior art.

I claim:

l. Apparatus for moistening a copy sheet, or the like, comprising a roller for engaging the copy sheet to apply a film of liquid thereto, a second roller engaging the first-mentioned roller, means for spraying the liquid on atleast one of said rollers at a point where it must 'pass between said rollers before it contacts the copy sheet, and means for spreading the liquid on they first-mentioned roller after it has passed between said rollers.

2. Apparatus for moistening a copy sheet, or the like, comprising a roller for engaging the copy sheets to apply a film of liquid thereto, a

second roller engaging the first-mentionedv been brought into contact with said copygsheet.

3. Apparatus for moistening a copy sheet, or the like, comprising a roller for engaging the copy sheet to apply a film of liquid thereto, a second roller engaging the first-mentioned roller, means for spraying the liquid on at least one of said rollers at a point where it must pass between said rollers before it contacts the copy sheet, and a roller having a roughened surface engaging the first-mentioned roller for distributing the liquid thereon after it has passed between the first-mentioned roller and said second roller and before it has been brought into contact with said copy sheet.

4. Apparatus for moistening a copy sheet, or the like, comprising a roller for engaging the copy sheet to apply a film of liquid thereto, a

second roller engaging the first-mentioned roller, means for spraying the liquid on at least one of said rollers at a point where it must pass between! said rollers before it contacts the copy sheet, arid a roller having a grooved surface engaging the first-mentioned roller for distributing the liquid thereon after it has passed between the first-mentioned roller and said second roller and before it has been brought into contact with said copy sheet.

5. Apparatus for moistening a copy sheet, or the like, comprising a roller for engaging the copy sheet to apply a lm of liquid thereto, a second roller engaging the first-mentioned roller, means for spraying the liquid on at least one of said rollers at a point where it must pass between said rollers before it contacts the copy sheet, and a roller having a screw-threaded surface engaging the first-mentioned roller for distributing the liquid thereon after it has passed between the first-mentioned roller and said second roller and before it has been brought into contact with said copy sheet.

6. Apparatus for moistening a copy sheet, or the like, comprising a roller, means for driving said roller, means for holding a sheet in operative engagement with said roller so as to be forwarded thereby, a second roller having a grooved surface engaging the first-mentioned roller, means for supplying liquid to said second roller, and a third roller for spreading said liquid on the first-mentioned roller after it has passed between -the first-mentioned roller and said second roller, said third roller having its cylindrical surface roughened.

7. In an apparatus for moistening a copy sheet as it is carried forwardly to the drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a comparatively hard revolving member mounted in position, means for driving said revolving member, a comparatively much more yielding revolving member having a non-absorbent facing in pressure relationship with the downwardly moving face portion of said first named member so as to cooperate therewith for providing support for a small quantity of'liquid, means for delivering liquid to said cooperating parts above their line of lcontact with each other so as to be carried downwardly between the first named member and the pressure member, and means for holding a copy sheet in operative engagement with a forwardly moving portion of one of said members so as to forward the sheet toward the drum and to apply afll'm of liquid to the face of the sheet, one of said members having its peripheral surface roughened so as to have a great number of fine indentations in its face arranged for carrying liquid in regulated amounts in the indentations downwardly past the line of contact of the members as they revolve and so as eiectively to prevent movement of the liquid downwardly between the members when they are stationary.

8. In an apparatus for moistening a copy sheet as it is carried forwardly tothe drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a comparatively hard revolving member, means for driving said revolving n: zmber, a comparatively much more yielding revolving member having a non-absorbent facing inv pressure relationship with the downwardly moving face portion of said rst named revolving member so as to cooperate therewith for providing support for a small quantity of liquid, means for delivering liquid to said cooperating members above their line of contact with each other so as to be carried downwardly between said members, and means for holding a copy sheet in operative engagement with a forwardly moving tportion of the more yielding one of said members so as to forward the sheet toward the drum and to apply a lm of liquid to the face of the sheet, the harder one of said members having its peripheral surface roughened so as to have a great number of fine indentations in its facearranged for carrying liquid in regulated amounts in the indentations downwardly past the line of contact of the members as they revolve and so as effectively to prevent movement of the liquid downwardly between the members when they are stationary.

9.. In an apparatus for moistening a copy sheet as it is carried forwardly to the drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a relatively hard roller rotatably mounted in horizontal position, a second rotatably mounted roller substantially softer than the first named roller and in pressure relationship with the downwardly moving face portion of said first named roller, means for driving said rollers, means for holding a copy sheet in operative engagement with the soften one of said two rollers so as to be forwarded toward the drum thereby, and means for delivering liquid to said rollers above their line of contact with each other so as to be carried downwardly between the rollers for application to a copy sheet, the harder one of said rollers having its peripheral surface roughened by a great number of ne indentations so as to carry liquid in substantial and regulated amounts downwardly between the rollers as they rotate and so as effectively to prevent movement of the liquid downwardly between the rollers when the rollers are stationary.

l0. In an apparatus for moistening a copy sheet as itis carried forwardly to the drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a relatively hard roller rotatably mounted in horizontal position, a second rotatably mounted roll-er substantially softer than the first named roller and in pressure relationship with the downwardly moving face portion of said first named roller, means for driving said rollers, means for holding a copy sheet in operative engagement with the softer one of said two rollers so as to be forwarded thereby, and means for delivering liquid to said rollers above their line of contact with each other so as to be carried downwardly between the rollers for application to a copy sheet, the harder one of said rollers having its peripheral surface roughened by a great number of fine grooves, extending longitudinally of the roller so as to carry liquid in substantial and regulated amounts downwardly between the rollers as they rotate and so as to prevent movement of the liquid downwardly between the rollers when the rollers are stationary.

11. In an apparatus for moistening a copy sheet as it is carried forwardly to the drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a non-absorbent roller rotatably mounted in horizontal position, a second nonabsorbent roller having a facing portion of substantially harder material than that of the first named roller and rotatably mounted at one side of and at a higher level in pressure relationship with the downwardly moving face portion of said first named roller, means for driving said rollers, means for holding a copy sheet in operative enof the roller so as to carry liquid in substantial and regulated amounts downwardly between the rollers as they rotate and so as effectively to prevent movement of the liquid downwardly between the rollers when the rollers are stationary.

12. In an apparatus for moistening a copy sheet as it is carried forwardly. to the drum of a liquid'process duplicating machine, the combination of a comparatively hard revolving member mounted in position, means for driving said revolving member, a comparatively much more yielding revolving member having a non-absorbent facing in pressure relationship with the downwardly moving face portion of said first named member so as to cooperate therewith for providing support for a small quantity of liquid, means for delivering liquid to said cooperating parts above their line of contact with each other so as to be carried downwardly between the first named member and the pressure member, means for holding a copy sheet in operative engagement with a forwardly moving portion of one of said members so as to forward the sheet toward the drum and to apply a lm of liquid to the face of the sheet, one of said members having its peripheral surface roughened so as to have a great number of ne indentations in its face arranged for carrying liquid in regulated amounts in the indentations downwardly past the line of contact of the members as they revolve and so as effectively to prevent movement of the liquid downwardlybetween the members when they are stationary, said members having transversely extending surfaces on their opposite end portions, and means engaging said surfaces to prevent the escape of the normal supply of liquid from between said members at opposite ends thereof.

13. In an apparatus for moistening a copy sheet as it is carried forwardly to the drum of a liquid process duplicating machine, the combination of a non-absorbent roller rotatably mounted in horizontal position, a second nonabsorbent roller having a facing portion of substantially harder material than that of the first named roller and rotatably mounted at one side of and at a higher level in pressure relationship with the downwardly moving face portion of said rst named roller, means for driving said rollers, means ,for holding a copy sheet in operative engagement with the under surface of said first named roller so as to be forwarded thereby, means for'delivering liquid to said rollers above their line of contact with. each other so as to be carried downwardlybetween the rollers for application to a copy sheet, said second roller having its peripheral surface roughened by a great number of ne grooves extending longitudinally of the roller so a's to carry liquid in substantial and regulated amounts downwardly between the rollers as they rotate and so as effectively to prevent movement of the liquid downwardly between the rollers when the rollers are stationary, said rollers having transversely extending surfaces on their opposite end portions, and means engaging said surfaces to prevent the escape of the normal supply of liquid from between said rollers at opposite ends thereof.

STEPHEN KOKAY. 

